The Complete Guide to Japanese Cast Iron Teapots (Tetsubin)
Japanese cast iron teapots — tetsubin (鉄瓶) — occupy a unique space in the tea world. They are functional brewing vessels, heirloom-quality craft objects, and arguably the most photogenic item in any kitchen. But there is also a lot of misinformation about them. This guide is researched against Japanese manufacturer specifications and government-published traditional craft documentation. What a Tetsubin Actually Is A traditional tetsubin is a cast iron kettle designed to boil water for tea. It has a cast iron body with a pouring spout, a removable lid with a knob (often copper or iron), and a handle (tsuru / 弦) that arches over the top [1]. ...